| NCAA Football Power Rankings |
| Rank |
LW |
 |
Team |
| 1 |
1 |
 |
Oklahoma Sooners (7-0)
The Big 12 South wasn't determined in Dallas after all. The Sooners' season will be made or broken the next two weeks with trips to Oklahoma State and Texas A&M, where road teams are a combined 1-7 in conference play.
Next game: Saturday at Oklahoma State.
|
| 2 |
2 |
 |
USC Trojans (7-0)
While the Trojans' offense putzed around most of the game against pitiful Washington, the defense held the Huskies to no points, no third-down conversions, six first downs, seven pass completions and 113 total yards. Wow.
Next game: Saturday at Washington State.
|
| 3 |
3 |
 |
Auburn Tigers (8-0)
Nearly every top team in the country has had at least one lackluster effort where it was fortunate to win. Not the Tigers. In a game that had to be hard to get up for, against Kentucky, the defense held the Wildcats to 110 yards in a 42-10 victory.
Next game: Saturday at Ole Miss.
|
| 4 |
4 |
 |
Miami (FL) Hurricanes (6-0)
Pity the poor opponent if or when Miami's offense and defense shine on the same night. QB Brock Berlin was on fire against N.C. State, but the defense struggled to contain Wolfpack RB T.A. McLendon and WR Richard Washington.
Next game: Saturday at North Carolina.
|
| 5 |
5 |
 |
Wisconsin Badgers (8-0)
How good is the Badgers' defense? Even with both starting defensive ends, star Erasmus James and Jonathan Welsh, sidelined by ankle injures, Wisconsin held Northwestern QB Brett Basanez to 16-of-37 passing for 185 yards in a 24-12 win.
Next game: Nov. 6 vs. Minnesota.
|
| 6 |
6 |
 |
California Golden Bears (5-1)
Jeff Tedford's team is known primarily for its offense, but how 'bout a little love for the defense? Coming off their first shutout in five years -- a 34-0 win against Arizona -- the Bears are ninth nationally in yards allowed (268.8 per game) and 13th in points (14.3).
Next game: Saturday vs. Arizona State.
|
| 7 |
10 |
 |
Michigan Wolverines (7-1)
Of all the great running backs to suit up for Michigan over the years, only one, Jon Vaughn (1990), had achieved consecutive 200-yard games prior to freshman Michael Hart. He's been so dominant as to render star WR Braylon Edwards a non-factor.
Next game: Saturday vs. Michigan State.
|
| 8 |
7 |
 |
Florida St. Seminoles (6-1)
The 'Noles simply aren't the same team on the road. For the second time in as many trips (the other being Syracuse), they were fortunate to escape against an inferior opponent. FSU was playing for overtime when Lorenzo Booker broke free for a 46-yard run.
Next game: Saturday at Maryland.
|
| 9 |
8 |
 |
Tennessee Volunteers (6-1)
Coach Phillip Fulmer is concerned about his team's offense, and rightfully so, after struggling in both the running and the passing game against Alabama. Erik Ainge is a fine passer, but he's hung out to dry when the Vols aren't able to run the ball.
Next game: Saturday at South Carolina.
|
| 10 |
9 |
 |
Georgia Bulldogs (6-1)
Georgia can't afford to keep shooting itself in the foot like it did against Arkansas. Even after Mark Richt called out his team for too many penalties, the Dawgs committed nine, to go with two lost fumbles and two missed field goals in a 20-14 win.
Next game: Saturday vs. Florida.
|
| 11 |
13 |
 |
Texas Longhorns (6-1)
Saturday's 51-21 win over Texas Tech was huge for so many different reasons. Not only did QB Vince Young have his best performance to date, but Greg Robinson's defense repeatedly got good pressure on Red Raiders QB Sonny Cumbie.
Next game: Saturday at Colorado.
|
| 12 |
12 |
 |
Louisville Cardinals (5-1)
Just another day at the office for QB Stefan LeFors, who against South Florida last Thursday completed his first 13 throws and finished 21-of-26. Halfway through the season, he's completed 76 percent of his passes with just one interception.
Next game: Nov. 4 at Memphis.
|
| 13 |
14 |
 |
Utah Utes (7-0)
"They are a national championship-caliber team," UNLV head coach John Robinson said after losing to the Utes 63-28. "They are ... as good as any team in the nation." Keep in mind, Robinson also faced Tennessee and Wisconsin this season.
Next game: Saturday at San Diego State.
|
| 14 |
15 |
 |
Virginia Cavaliers (6-1)
In response to the Cavs' 36-3 loss at Florida State, Al Groh shook up his lineup against Duke, starting RB Alvin Pearman instead of Wali Lundy. How did the pair respond? Pearman ran for 223 yards on 38 carries, Lundy 82 on just 11 attempts.
Next game: Nov. 6 vs. Maryland.
|
| 15 |
16 |
 |
Texas A&M Aggies (6-1)
The Aggies were very fortunate to escape a potential home loss to Colorado. The defense couldn't contain Buffs QB Joel Klatt, but credit another huge day by A&M's Reggie McNeal as well as Lee Foliaki's strip of Bobby Purify in overtime.
Next game: Saturday at Baylor.
|
| 16 |
-- |
 |
West Virginia Mountaineers (6-1)
QB Rasheed Marshall has taken his game to another level the past couple weeks, burning both Connecticut and Syracuse on the ground and reforming the deep-ball connection with WR Chris Henry that was so successful last season.
Next game: Saturday at Rutgers.
|
